Do you also have a inner critic that diminishes small wins? A voice in my head tells me that unless I’ve solved the entire problem or reached the desired state, then I "shouldn't" be celebrating. It cynically whispers, “No, no... you are not there yet." This little thief robs me of recognizing progress!

I’ve noticed this pattern especially when I’m trying to make a big shift or try something new. I’ll take a step such as having a hard conversation, spending 15 minutes lifting weights, or really working to improve my communication with a loved one, but instead of feeling pride or celebrating that, I will brush it off. My focus goes back to all the work ahead before someone else will notice that I did actually make a change or accomplish that goal.

But the reality of life is that every issue will not be resolved nor will every goal be achieved. If we’re honest, we’re always going to be balancing the things we’ve accomplished with the parts of our selves and lives that still need work. There’s a “both-and” to this... I can celebrate where I am now and acknowledge that I’m still growing. One truth doesn’t cancel out the other.

This shift in perspective hasn’t come easily. It’s something I’ve been practicing—stopping to acknowledge what I have done, even if it feels small. Did I make one healthier choice today? Did I stay calm in a moment I normally wouldn’t? Did I try something new? These are the wins that deserve celebration because they are the building blocks of meaningful change.

Journaling has been my anchor in this process and I now do it in my weekly planner. It is a good place to keep me accountable - in the midst of my to-do lists and appointments, I am recording the small wins of progress along the way too. When I see those small steps written out, I realize how they add up over time. Progress doesn't always happen in big leaps - sometimes it’s a series of tiny steps that we barely notice in the moment.

So, I’ve learned to pause, acknowledge, and celebrate—not as a reward of accomplishment, but as a practice of gratitude and self-compassion. Celebrating small wins doesn’t mean we’re ignoring what still needs work. It means we’re giving ourselves permission to honor the journey, not just the destination.

Struggling to celebrate progress as your wins?

Writing each step down in a journal or planner is a great place to start. Whether it be a first step, a moment of progress or a shift towards where you want to go... celebrate that you took that action!

If you need a place to start... try our LYFE This Week™ reflection page.

Explore our Tools for LYFE™ collection, featuring free reflection guide options, or connect with us to discuss customized tools for your coaching business. Click the images below to learn more.